Thermoformed dual container packaging assembly

ABSTRACT

A packaging assembly having a pair of generally conventional thermoformed containers joined in face-to-face relation by a removable thermoformed snap ring. The thermoformed containers each include a container body with an open mouth, and a peripheral lip extending outwardly about the open mouth. The containers are positioned in opposed relationship with their peripheral lips extending generally adjacent to one another. The snap ring is a generally peripheral body having an internal opening capable of being fitted over the body of at least one of the two containers and a containment flange configured to entrap the adjacent lips of the two containers. In use, the snap ring can be selectively fitted simultaneously over a pair of adjacent container lips to join the containers, for example, to allow two separately packaged products to be sold in combination, and can be easily removed to allow the containers to be separated by the consumer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermoformed packaging and, moreparticularly, to thermoformed packaging assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical thermoformed packages provide a single internal space forcontaining the article(s) to be packages. Although suitable for a largemajority of applications, there are situations where it is desirable topackage articles together while maintaining isolation between them.These applications are becoming more commonplace, particularly in thecontext of food packaging, where it is often desirable to sell two fooditems together, but to enclose them in separate spaces because packagingthem together might have an undesirable effect on flavor, texture orpresent other issues. For example, it is often desirable to sell saladkits that include different ingredients that are best packagedseparately. This may include a portion of salad and a portion ofcroutons, which are best kept separate until the consumer combines themnear the time of consumption. Similarly, yogurt is now often sold withadditives, such as granola, that are best when kept separate from theyogurt until just before consumption.

For these types of applications, a variety of attempts has been made toproduce cost-effective packaging solutions. Some conventional packagingassemblies use a number of bags to separately package differentproducts. For example, some salad kits include lettuce packaged in a oneplastic bag and croutons packaged in a second plastic bag. The croutonand salad bags may then be packaged in a third plastic bag, or thecrouton bag may be placed inside the salad bag before the salad bag issealed. While bags can be used, they suffer from a number ofdisadvantages. For example, they are flimsy and do little or nothing toprotect the contents from being crushed or otherwise damaged. It is alsodifficult to get bags to sit upright and to consume food directly frombags. Because of these and other shortcomings of plastic bags, it isoften preferable to use thermoformed packaging instead of bags. A numberof attempts have been made to provide packaging assemblies that involvesthe combination of two separate thermoformed containers with eachcontainer providing a separate article-receiving space. These attemptsgenerally include the design and manufacture of thermoformed containersspecifically designed for combination into a single packaging assembly.For example, at least one conventional yogurt and granola packagingassembly includes a large thermoformed yogurt cup and a smallerthermoformed granola cup that is fitted down inside the yogurt cup. Inthis packaging assembly, the yogurt cup is designed with enough extraspace to accommodate the granola cup. Another conventional yogurtpackaging assembly includes a specially-designed granola container thatis configured to snap onto the top of the yogurt container. The granolacontainer includes an extended flange that is custom designed to matewith the top of the yogurt container. The granola cup is designedspecifically for use in combination with the yogurt cup, and is notlikely to have other uses over which to spread the cost of design andthe expense of application specific tooling and fixture.

Although providing some advantages, both of these packaging assembliesinvolve the custom design of thermoformed containers, which increasesdesign and development cost and requires new thermoform tooling (e.g.molds) for each new custom container. Additionally, the first packagingassembly requires the larger yogurt cup to be larger than wouldotherwise be necessary, which results in excessive use of plastic.

In view of the foregoing, there is need for an improved thermoformedpackaging assembly that allows products to be sold in combination, butpackaged in isolation from one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a packaging assembly having a pair ofgenerally conventional thermoformed containers joined in face-to-facerelation by a removable thermoformed snap ring. The thermoformedcontainers each include a container body with an open mouth, and aperipheral lip extending outwardly about the open mouth. The containersare positioned in opposed relationship with their peripheral lipsextending generally adjacent to one another. The snap ring is agenerally peripheral body having an internal opening capable of beingfitted over the body of at least one of the two containers and acontainment flange configured to entrap the adjacent lips of the twocontainers. In use, the snap ring can be selectively fittedsimultaneously over a pair of adjacent container lips to join thecontainers, for example, to allow two separately packaged products to besold in combination, and can be easily removed to allow the containersto be separated by the consumer.

In one embodiment, the containment flange has a compound shape with afirst portion defining an inwardly facing containment channel adapted toclosely receive the two container lips and a second portion in the formof a skirt forming a lead-in flange extending around the periphery ofthe snap ring. The lead-in flange may extend at an angle to facilitateentry into of the container lips into the containment channel. Thebottom wall of the containment channel may be discontinuous beingcooperatively formed by the upper surface of a plurality of skirt ribsspaced uniformly around the skirt. The number, size, shape andconfiguration of the skirt ribs may be selected to control the forcerequired to install and remove the lips from the containment channel.

In one embodiment, the snap ring also includes a support rib extendingaround the peripheral body. The support rib may be defined by contoursformed in the peripheral body disposed inwardly from the channel. Thesupport rib may extend from the peripheral body in a direction oppositethe outer flange.

In one embodiment, the peripheral body may include an inwardly extendinginner flange. In some applications, the thermoformed containers mayinclude a container lip that terminates in a peripheral offset. Withsnap rings intended for use with containers of this type, the innerflange may be offset from the top wall of the channel a distanceapproximately equal to the peripheral offset in the container lip. Theoffset inner flanges supplements the containment channel helping toprovide snug engagement between the snap ring and the container lips.

In one embodiment, one or both of the containers are closed by a lid andthe snap ring is configured to accommodate the lid(s). The container lidmay incorporate essentially any lid. For example, the lid may be alidding film that is affixed to the outer lip covering the mouth. Asanother example, the lid may be thermoformed lid that is separatelymanufactured and snap-fitted onto the outer lid to cover the mouth.

In one embodiment, the snap ring is generally circular being configuredto selectively join two generally conventional circular containers. Insuch embodiments, the channel, outer flange and support rib may begenerally circular and generally coaxial.

In one embodiment, the two thermoformed containers and their respectiveouter lips are of substantially the same size, thereby allowing the lipsof the two containers to be positioned in a face-to-face coextensivearrangement.

In one embodiment, the two thermoformed containers are circular andhaving circular outer lips. In this embodiment, the snap ring iscircular having internal diameter slightly larger than the externaldiameter of the container body.

The present invention provides a simple, effective and inexpensivethermoformed snap ring capable of joining a wide range of conventionalthermoformed containers without the need to modify or customize thethermoformed containers to interact with the snap ring. When desired,the snap ring can be easily installed manually without the need forspecialized equipment. The snap ring can be configured to properlyinterfit with containers having a wide range of alternative designs,including different container body shapes and different mouth and lipconfigurations. When included, the lead-in flange facilitates snapfitting of the snap ring onto the container lips. When included, theupright rib provides the snap ring with additional structural integrity.When included, the offset inner flange help to maintain firm engagementbetween the snap ring and the outer lips.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully understoodand appreciated by reference to the description of the embodiments andthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the snap ring.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the snap ring

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the snap ring taken along line A-A ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of Area B of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the packaging assembly.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the packaging assembly take along lineA-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of Area B of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the packaging.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first alternative packaging assembly.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the first alternative packaging assembly.

FIG. 10A is a sectional view of the first alternative packaging assemblytake along line A-A of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of Area B of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second alternative packagingassembly.

FIG. 12A is a sectional view of the second alternative packagingassembly.

FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of Area B of FIG. 12A.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the details ofoperation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodimentsand of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways notexpressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

A packaging assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1. The packaging assembly 10 generallyincludes a pair of containers (in this case generally identicalcontainer 12 a and 12 b) separably joined by a snap ring 14. Thecontainers 12 a and 12 b are oriented in face-to-face relationship withthe container lips 16 a-b trapped together by the snap ring 14. The snapring 14 includes an inwardly facing containment channel 20 that receivesand retains the lips 16 a and 16 b of the two containers 12 a and 12 b,respectively. In this embodiment, the snap ring 14 includes a skirt 22that provides a lead-in flange 50 shaped to guide the snap ring 14 intoproper alignment with the container lips 16 a-b as the snap ring 14 isinstalled onto the container 12 a-b. To provide separation between theinteriors of the two containers 12 a and 12 b, one or both of thecontainers 12 a and 12 b may be closed by a lid 18 a-b, such as alidding film (as shown) or a separate thermoformed lid (not shown).

Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are usedto assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of theembodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional termsshould not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specificorientation(s).

As noted above, the present invention provides a package assembly 10including two container 12 a and 12 b that are joined in face-to-facerelationship by a removable snap-ring 14. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, one container 12 a is positioned on the bottomin an upright position and the other container 12 b is inverted andpositioned atop the bottom container 12 a. The snap ring 14 is removablyfittable about to the lips 16 a-b of the containers 12 a-b and securedthrough a snap fit. In use, the snap ring 14 allows the two containersto be joined together for sale to a consumer and later separated by theconsumer to separately gain access to the contents of the twocontainers. The containers 12 a and 12 b and the snap ring 14 arethermoformed using conventional thermoformable sheet materials andconventional thermoforming equipment, thereby providing a cost effectivepackaging assembly that is inexpensive enough to be discarded after use.For example, the containers 12 a and 12 b and the snap ring 14 can bethermoformed from a relatively rigid material such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET or PETE), although different materials may be usedfor each component 12 a, 12 b and 14. The use of a rigid material canprovide stiffness and structural rigidity to the packaging assembly 10.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the containers 12 a-b are generallyconventional circular containers, each having a container body 22 a-bforming an internal cylindrical space that is accessible through acontainer mouth 24 a-b. The size, shape and configuration of thecontainer body 22 a-b and mouth 24 a-b may vary from application toapplication. For example, the containers need not be circular, but mayhave other shapes, such as square, rectangular or oval. The mouth 24 a-bof each container 12 a-b is surrounded by an outwardly-extendingperiphery lip 16 a-b. The size, shape and configuration of the lips 16a-b may vary from application to application. In the illustratedembodiment, each lip 16 a-b includes a planar ring-shaped inner portion26 a-b that extends outwardly from the container body 22 a-b andterminates in a peripherally offset 28 a-b. The peripheral offset 28 a-bof this embodiment includes an angled transition portion 30 a-b and asubstantially planar edge portion 32 a-b. In this embodiment, the edgeportion 32 a-b is offset from and substantially parallel to the innerportion 26 a-b.

In the illustrated embodiment, each container 12 a-b is closed by a lid18 a-b. It should be noted, however, that lids 18 a-b are optional and,in alternative applications, one or both of the containers may beincorporated into the packaging assembly 10 without a lid. When desired,the container may include essentially any type of lid. In theillustrated embodiment, each container 12 aa-b is closed by a lid 18 a-bformed by a lidding film affixed to the container lip 16 a-b. In each ofthe illustrated containers 12 a-b, the lidding film extends over andcloses the mouth 24 a-b to close the interior space defined by thecontainer body 22 a-b. In the illustrated containers 12 a-b, the liddingfilm is affixed to the container lip 16 a-b by cement or other adhesive.The type of lid 18 a-b may vary from application to application. Forexample, in other applications, one or both of the lids 18 a-b may be athermoformed lid that is separately manufactured and attached to thecontainer to close the mouth. In some applications, the lid may besnap-fitted into the interior of the mouth, for example, into a shoulderformed in the container body about the mouth. In other application, thelid may be snap-fitted about the exterior of the container lip. In eachapplications, the snap ring 14 is configured to receive and retain thecontainer lips 16 a-b and whatever type of lid 18 a-b that might be usedto close the container 12 a-b.

As noted above, the two containers 12 a-b are selectively joined by thesnap ring 14. The snap ring 14 of the illustrated embodiment is agenerally peripheral body configured to entrap the container lips 16a-b. In the illustrated embodiment, the snap ring 14 is generallycircular in shape corresponding with the circular shape of thecontainers 12 a-b. In the illustrated embodiment, the snap ring 14includes an inner flange 62 that defines an internal opening 40 capableof being fitted over the container body 22 a-b of at least one of thetwo containers 12 a-b, for example, over the container body 22 b of thetop container 12 b as shown in FIG. 1. The size, shape and configurationof the snap ring 14 and the internal opening 40 may vary fromapplication to application to accommodate different sized and shapedcontainer bodies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the snap ring 14 includes a containmentflange 20 configured to receive and entrap the lips 16 a-b of the twoadjacent containers 12 a-b. The containment flange 20 of the illustratedembodiment has a compound shape with a first portion 42 defining aninwardly facing containment channel 44 adapted to closely receive thetwo container lips 16 a-b and a second portion 46 in the form of a skirt48 forming a lead-in flange 50 extending downwardly around the peripheryof the snap ring 14. The lead-in flange 50 of the illustrated embodimentextends at an outward angle to define a circular somewhat funnel-likesurface having a diameter larger than that of the container lips 16 a-b.During use, the lead-in flange 50 helps to shepherd the snap ring 14into a centered position as it is pushed down over the container lips 16a-b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 52 of the containmentchannel 44 is discontinuous being cooperatively formed by a plurality ofribs 54 spaced around the skirt 48. The arrangement of spaced ribs 54has the effect of allowing the bottom wall 52 of the snap ring 14 toresiliently expand as it is forced to pass over the lips 16 a-b duringinstallation and removal of the snap ring 14. FIGS. 4A and 4B are crosssectional views of the snap ring 14 taken through a skirt rib 54. As canbe seen, the skirt rib 54 includes an inner segment 56 and a top segment58 that are joined by a rounded corner 64. The configuration of theskirt ribs 54, including the inner segment 56 and the top segment 58,can be varied to control the characteristics of the snap ring. Forexample, the number, size, shape, spacing and configuration of the skirtribs may be selected to control the force required to install and removethe snap ring 14.

The snap ring may include contours and/or other features configured toprovide the desired structural support. For example, the snap ring 14 ofthe illustrated embodiment includes a support rib 60. In thisembodiment, the support rib 60 is a continuous circumferential rib thatextends around the snap ring 14. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 4B, thesupport rib 60 is formed from contours in the peripheral body disposedinwardly from the containment channel 44. In this embodiment, thesupport rib 60 extends upwardly from the peripheral body. The number,size, shape and configuration of the support rib 60 may vary fromapplication to application to provide the snap ring with the desiredstructural characteristics.

As noted above, the containment channel 44 is configured to receive thelips 16 a-b of two stacked containers 12 a-b. In this embodiment, thecontainment channel 44 is somewhat rectangular in cross section definedby a top wall, a bottom wall and an outer wall. The shape of thecontainment channel 44 may vary from application to application. Forexample, the containment channel 44 may be semicircular in cross sectionformed by a single curved wall segment. Referring now to FIG. 6B, thewidth of the channel 44 is sufficient to accommodate the peripheraloffsets 28 a-b of the two adjacent container lips 16 a-b. In thoseapplications in which the container lid 18 a-b extends over and/orbeyond the container lips 16 a-b, the channel 44 may be configured toalso accommodate the container lid(s) 18 a-b. In this embodiment, thetop wall of the containment channel 44 is axially offset from the innerflange 62 a distance corresponding with the peripheral offset 28 b ofthe top container 12 b, which allows the inner flange 62 and the topwall of the containment channel 44 to simultaneously engage thecontainer lip 16 b and the peripheral offset 28 b (See FIG. 6B). Asnoted above, the bottom wall of the channel 44 is cooperatively definedby the top segments 58 of the plurality of skirt ribs 54. The topsegments 58 may be inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees fromvertical to help provide the desired snap lock action. The configurationof the containment channel 44 may vary from application to applicationin correspondence with the configuration of the container lips and anycontainer lid(s) that might extend into the containment channel.

In use, the snap ring can be selectively fitted simultaneously over apair of adjacent container lips to join the containers, for example, toallow two separately packaged products to be sold in combination, andcan be easily removed to allow the containers to be separated by theconsumer. To install the snap ring 14, the second container 12 b isinverted and stacked upon the first container 12 a. In this application,the two containers are essentially identical and are disposed so thatthe container lips 16 a-b are substantially coextensive. Once stacked,the snap ring 14 is fitted over the body of the second container 16 andpushed down until the lead-in flange 50 engages the container lip 16 bof the second container 16 b. Physical interaction between the lead-inflange 50 and the container lip 16 b helps to center the snap ring 14over the containers 12 a-b and bring them into proper alignment. Furtherdownward force on the snap ring 14 causes the snap ring 14 to pass downover the container lips 16 a-b allowing the lips to snap lock into thecontainment channel 44. This is made possible by resilient deformationof the snap ring 14 and/or the container lips 16 a-b. Once installed,the snap ring 14 will firmly hold the containers 12 a-b in a stackedassembly until removed.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the two containers are generallyidentical circular containers. As noted above, the shape of thecontainers may vary from application to application. For example, FIGS.8-10B show an alternative packaging assembly 10′ in which the containers12 a-b′ have container bodies 22 a-b′ that differ from those ofcontainers 12 a-b. It should be noted that the container lips 16 a-b′ ofthese two containers 12 a-b are essentially identical to the containerlips 16 a-b of containers 12 a-b. As a result, the snap ring 14′ isessentially identical to snap ring 14, thereby demonstrating the abilityof a single snap ring to be used with different containers provided thatthe container lips are sufficient similar. FIGS. 8-10B includesreference numerals that generally correspond with the reference numeralsused in FIGS. 1-7, except that a “′” is added to the end of eachreference numeral to denote that the illustrations show an alternativeembodiment. The packaging assemblies 10 and 10′ each include essentiallyidentical top and bottom containers 12 a-b, 12 a-b′. In alternativeembodiments, the top and bottom containers may be different. Forexample, FIGS. 11-12B show a packaging assembly 10″ with a larger topcontainer 12 b″. In this embodiment, the container lips 16 a-b″ areagain essentially identical to container lips 16 a-b, thereby allowingthe two containers 16 a-b″ despite their different size to be removablyjoined by a snap ring 14″ that is essentially identical to snap ring 14.FIGS. 11-12B includes reference numerals that generally correspond withthe reference numerals used in FIGS. 1-7, except that a “″” is added tothe end of each reference numeral to denote that the illustrations showan alternative embodiment.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure ispresented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as anexhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated ordescribed in connection with these embodiments. For example, and withoutlimitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may bereplaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similarfunctionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes,for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those thatmight be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternativeelements that may be developed in the future, such as those that oneskilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features thatare described in concert and that might cooperatively provide acollection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to onlythose embodiments that include all of these features or that provide allof the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly setforth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in thesingular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” isnot to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A packaging assemblycomprising: a first container having a first container body defining afirst mouth and a first lip extending from the first container bodyabout the mouth, the first lip defining a first face; a second containerhaving a second container body defining a second mouth and a second lipextending from the second container body, the second lip defining asecond face, the second container disposed adjacent to the firstcontainer in face-to-face relation with the first lip and the second lipextending adjacent to one another; and a snap ring removably snap-fittedabout the first container and the second container, the snap ring havinga peripheral main body defining an inner opening, the inner openingdisposed about the first container body, the snap ring including acontainment flange extending from the main body, the containment flangedefining an inwardly opening containment channel, the containmentchannel receiving the first lip and the second lip, the containmentflange including a skirt extending from the containment channel andforming a lead-in flange shepherding the first lip and the second lipinto the containment channel as the snap ring is installed about thecontainers.
 2. The packaging assembly of claim 1 wherein the main bodyof the snap ring further includes a support rib.
 3. The packagingassembly of claim 2 wherein the support rib is a generally continuousrib extending around the main body, the support rib disposed inwardly ofthe containment flange.
 4. The packaging assembly of claim 2 wherein atleast one of the first container lip and the second container lipincludes an inner portion extending outwardly from the container bodyand terminating in an edge portion, the edge portion being offset fromthe inner portion by a first distance.
 5. The packaging assembly ofclaim 4 wherein the containment channel of the snap ring includes afirst wall extending from the main body, the first wall of thecontainment channel being offset from the main body by about the firstdistance.
 6. The packaging assembly of claim 5 wherein the inner openingof the main body is slightly larger than the diameter of the firstcontainer body.
 7. The packaging assembly of claim 6 wherein the skirtincludes a plurality of spaced apart skirt ribs, a portion of the skirtribs forming a second wall of the containment channel.
 8. The packagingassembly of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first container and thesecond container includes a lid.
 9. The packaging assembly of claim 8wherein the lid is a lidding film secured to the container lip to closethe mouth.
 10. A snap ring for selectively joining first and secondstacked containers comprising: a peripheral main body corresponding inshape with a container lip of the first container, the peripheral mainbody defining an internal opening corresponding in shape with acontainer body of the second container, the peripheral main bodyincluding a containment flange having a first portion forming acontainment channel and a second portion forming a skirt, thecontainment flange opening inwardly and being of sufficient width toreceive a container lip of the first container and a container lip ofthe second container, the skirt extending from the containment channeland being angled to form a lead-in flange shepherding, the skirt havinga plurality of inwardly extending protrusions.
 11. The snap ring ofclaim 10 wherein the peripheral main body of the snap ring furtherincludes a support rib.
 12. The snap ring of claim 11 wherein thesupport rib is a generally continuous rib extending around theperipheral main body, the support rib disposed inwardly of thecontainment flange.
 13. The snap ring of claim 12 wherein the peripheralmain body includes a generally planar section and the containmentchannel includes a first wall extending from the peripheral main body,the first wall of the containment channel being offset from thegenerally planar section of the main body.
 14. The snap ring of claim 13wherein the inner opening is slightly larger than a body of the firstcontainer body.
 15. The snap ring of claim 14 wherein the skirtprotrusions cooperatively form a second wall of the containment channel.16. A packaging assembly comprising: a first container having a firstcircular container body defining a first circular mouth and a firstcircular lip extending from the first container body about thecircumference of the first circular mouth, the first circular lip havinga diameter greater than a diameter of the first container body; a secondcontainer having a second circular container body defining a secondcircular mouth and a second circular lip extending from the secondcontainer body about the circumference of the second circular mouth, thesecond container disposed adjacent to the first container with the firstcircular lip and the second circular lip being generally coextensive;and a snap ring removably snap-fitted about the first container and thesecond container, the snap ring having a peripheral circular main bodydefining a coaxial circular inner opening, the inner opening having adiameter greater than the first container body and lesser than the firstcontainer lip, the snap ring disposed with the inner opening positionedabout the first container body, the snap ring including a coaxialcontainment flange extending circumferentially from the main body, thecontainment flange defining a coaxial inwardly opening circumferentialcontainment channel, the containment channel receiving the first lip andthe second lip, the containment flange including a coaxial circularskirt extending from the containment channel and forming a coaxiallead-in flange capable of shepherding the first lip and the second lipinto the containment channel as the snap ring is installed about thecontainers.
 17. The packaging assembly of claim 16 wherein the skirtincludes a plurality of circumferentially spaced skirt protrusions, theskirt protrusions cooperatively forming a second wall of the containmentchannel.
 18. The packaging assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one ofthe first container and the second container includes a lidding film.19. A method for packaging article in isolation in a single packagingassembly, comprising the steps of: providing a first containercontaining a first article, the first container having a first containerbody defining a first container mouth and a first container lipextending outwardly from the first container mouth; providing a secondcontainer containing a second article, the second container having asecond container body defining a second container mouth and a secondcontainer lip extending from the second container mouth, at least one ofthe first container and the second container including a lid, the lidmaintaining separation between the first article and the second article;stacking the first container and the second container with the firstcontainer lip disposed generally adjacent to the second container lip;providing a snap ring with a peripheral body defining an internalopening and a inwardly opening containment channel; and moving the snapring over the container body of the first container with the internalopening receiving the container body of the first container andsnap-fitting the snap ring about the first container lip and the secondcontainer lip, the first container lip and the second container beingretained in adjacent relationship by the containment channel.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein the containment channel has first and secondopposed walls that form opposite sides of the containment channel andthe snap ring including a skirt extending from the second wall to definean angled lead-in flange; and wherein the step of snap-fitting the snapring about the first container lip and the second container lipincludes: moving the snap ring to bring the lead-in flange intoengagement with the lip of the first container; and forcing the skirtover the first container lip and the second container lip until both thefirst container lip and the second container lip are received within thecontainment channel between the first and second opposed walls.